Shenandoah Botanical Update

Block 20, I think, for the Shenandoah Botanical quilt I am making.  Five to go if I am correct and I am anxious to get them done.  This is the Jacob's Ladder block.

I really like the changes Doreen made to her block.  If you haven't already visited her blog, please do.  Click here.  And visit the Botanical blog to see even more versions.  Click here.  So many interesting versions.

Karen

ABC Sampler Update

Two blocks done for the ABC Sampler pattern (pattern is by Cheri Payne).  The Santa block was fairly easy and definitely prim in style.

The pumpkin block is unique in that it represents three letters of the alphabet.  The N, O, and P.  "Nine Orange Pumpkins.  A busy looking block.  I had more oranges in stash than I remembered.  I have made many pumpkins out of my stash the last few years.

Take a few minutes to visit Lori's blog  "Humble Quilts" and see her blocks.  Click "here" and it will take you there.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

Karen

Jan Patek Star Tutorial

Jan Patek uses a certain style star design in many of her patterns.  Linda Brannock also used the same style star.  There is a group of people making a block a week from one of Linda's star patterns.  See picture below for her "Gazing Ball" quilt.  The group has permission from Linda's daughter to share the pattern.

I am not participating in the sew-along but have made similar stars for some of the Jan Patek quilt patterns I have used.  I had trouble with making them until I started using what I call "hash tag" marks on my freezer paper pattern pieces.  They really aren't a hash tag.  Just a line across connecting pieces.  I was asked if I would show what I do.  Below is a picture of the stars I recently made for Jan's "Fall Festival" quilt I am making.  The same technique can be used for any of the star patterns that require templates in the construction process.

First I trace the entire star pattern onto freezer paper.  I use a ruler to do this so I am sure to get straight lines.  I assign a letter of the alphabet to each shape from the pattern and mark that both on the freezer paper block and the original pattern (or if the pattern already has a number or alpha letter identifying it....I use that).  I also use a ruler to make a line straight up and down somewhere on each shape.  That way I know how to line the template onto the straight grain of fabric.  The lines come in handy for using plaids or one way prints.

I then take my ruler and draw a tick mark across each side of the inner seams lines of the pattern.  I use these marks to have a pinning mark when I get ready to sew the pieces one to another. I also mark each freezer paper template piece with bckgrd for background or star for the star parts.  Also, I put a "T" at the top of the shapes so I know what is the top side. Then cut the star pattern pieces apart from each other.

  

Once the shapes are cut apart, iron the freezer paper template to the right side of your fabric and mark the fabric with the tick marks extending out from the pattern shape.

Below is a picture of the two types of rulers I use.  The clear flat ruler is for making all the tick/hash marks onto the freezer paper and marking the fabric at these points using the marking pencil of your choice.  The clear flat ruler makes it easy to see through and line the marks up perpendicular to the paper edge of the shape.  The yellow ruler is normally used in paper piecing.  It has a lip underneath that gives you the 1/4" seam allowance.  Place the edge of the lip next to the freezer paper and carefully cut along the edge of the ruler with a rotary cutter.  I had no helper for picture taking so I cannot show you how I do the cutting.

You now have your shape cut out and with a line mark starting right at the needed 1/4" sewing line.  I pin right through from that mark to the piece I need to attach it to.

If you are lucky, Jan or Linda has given you the sewing order for the pattern pieces but it isn't hard to figure out if that info is not given.

A finished star done using this technique.

And another star with more pieces done the same way.

I don't know if I have explained this well enough.  It makes sense once you actually start doing it though.

Additional info:  I was asked to share the name of the group doing the Gazing Ball sew-along.  It is on Facebook and called Prim Folk Art Quilts.  Click here for a link to it.  Donna, I could not send you an e-mail as you are a no reply blogger.

Karen

Shenandoah Botanical Update and A Cheri Basket Block

I am getting closer to being caught up with the Shenandoah Botanical  quilt blocks.  Here is last month's block.  My original picture was too bright so I went for a darker picture but it is too dark.  Kind of like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  So use your imagination and picture it as between the two pictures.  This is the Red Tulip block.

I am enjoying doing the basket blocks from Cheri Payne's Facebook group.  If you are not familiar with it, she is giving us a basket pattern and then a sheet with a variety of applique shapes that she used.  You pick and choose and do a layout without knowing how she used the shapes.  Or you can wait until she shows her block.  I am amazed at the variations that people have come up with.  Some make me wish I had thought of that layout before I stitched mine.  Here is my block three.  I used a star shape from a previous basket pattern.

And here is a picture of all three blocks shown side by side.  I have no idea what the layout will be when the blocks are done.

I have been prepping blocks for a Jan Patek quilt pattern called Pine Tree Ridge.  I think the selection of fabrics and prepping the parts is one of my favorite parts of making quilts. You can see the pattern here if you are not familiar with the design.  Scroll down until you find it on the right hand side of the page.

You will find me in my sewing room.  Wish you could join me.
Karen

ABC Sampler Update

More has been accomplished towards my ABC Sampler quilt (pattern set by Cheri Payne).  First is the heart and leaves block that finishes out a section of the quilt.  It is a block that has the parts overlapping into other blocks and is considered a filler block and not representing a letter of the alphabet.

The finished section of the quilt. This is the left side in the middle of the quilt.

The "M" block is "Mother".  I embroidered the names of my two children, my two grandchildren and one great grandchild on the border of the block.

I am enjoying the sew along with Lorihttp://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2017/03/abc-sampler.html.  Stop by her blog and see her blocks.  Just click on her name and it should take you there.

Karen

It's A Cheri Kind of Day

It's a Cheri kind of day because I have two quilts made from Cheri Payne patterns to show you.  One a finished little quilt and the other a top not yet quilted.

The first quilt is from a pattern in "A Country Quilt Garden" called "Flowers In Bloom".  I had a few fat quarters of fabric in stash that have a cottage style look.  I was able to pull some other fabrics that would work with them and made this small wall hanging.  I used a small piece of Jo Morton's new line Reflections for the angel's dress.  I have just a fat 8th of it and am rationing it as I like it so well.  I have not found any more of it to purchase but will keep looking.

The wall hanging size quilt top is made from a pattrn  called "Watering Can Quilt" and is in Cheri's book "My Flower Bed".  I now have it layered for quilting but have not decided exactly how I want to do that.  There is another quilt pattern in the book that I would like to make only in a larger size  and am giving it some thought.

I enjoy the comments that are left.  Remember that, if you don't hear back from me, you are probably a "no reply blogger".  I understand that some people prefer it that way and that is okay with me.  I still like hearing from you.

Karen

Fall Festival Part Two

The latest assignment for the "Fall Festival" sew-along hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts was the four star blocks, the turkey, and the flag.  Here are my blocks.

The pattern is by Jan Patek and is still available.

I am using some of my left over Liberty Gardens fabric.  I think it is my all time favorite line of fabric by Brannock & Patek.  I would love to have more of it and there is some in an E-Bay listing but priced very high.  I am mixing in fabric of other lines by Jan Patek and some by other designers.  Just whatever works.

The star blocks are not my favorite style to piece but found in many of Jan Patek's designs.  So I have to grin and work my way through them.  I use freezer paper templates and lots of hash tag marks for lining up the different pieces.

Be sure to stop by Lori's blog and follow the links to see the blocks other quilters have made.

Karen